Jets' Sheldon Richardson drops a little weight

New York Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson is down from 320 pounds to 309 pounds, as he and the team agreed it would be best if he went into 2016 a little lighter.

“Sheldon’s a good athlete, he holds it well and he can move, but being a little bit lighter will play in his benefit,” coach Todd Bowles said this week, via Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday.

Richardson, who won Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2013 and a Pro Bowl bid in 2014, is facing a possible suspension stemming from a July 2015 incident in which he violated the NFL's personal conduct policy.

He told Martin he's preparing as if he'll play Day 1 and is focused on "positive vibes."

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Jets pick up Richardson's option, but not Milliner's

Defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson is set as a Jet beyond 2016.

The New York Jets exercised his fifth-year option, which is approximately $8 million, according to Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday.

Per Martin:

"[It] was an obvious move considering his talent level and versatility. Since being selected 13th overall three years ago, the defensive tackle has tallied 16.5 sacks and 180 tackles. The Jets also took advantage of his skill set last season by lining up Richardson as an outside linebacker."

Gang Green, however, didn't pick up cornerback Dee Milliner's option--another obvious move, given his injury problems.

Richardon: Execution will yield a victory against Pats

Sheldon Richardson has never been one to bite his tongue.

So when the 24-year-old defensive lineman was asked Thursday whether the New York Jets were going to come out of Foxboro with a win and a share of the division lead Sunday, he embodied the confidence and swagger that's defined Gang Green's defense over the past decade or so.

"This is going to be another win for us," Richardson told Metro New York. "We'll let you all write the columns about validating wins and stuff like that. This is going to be another win in the win column if we got out there and execute and do what we're supposed to do."

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Jets' Richardson gets big workload upon return

Sheldon Richardson returned to the field Sunday for the New York Jets after serving a four-game suspension. Coach Todd Bowles wasted no time getting Richardson involved often.

According to NJ.com's Darryl Slater, the big defensive lineman played 49 of 63 snaps his his team's victory over the Washington Redskins, sitting out only during the team's base 3-4 looks, which it opted against for much of the game.

Writes Slater:

As it turned out, Bowles opted for a lot of 4-3 alignments, with Richardson, [Leonard] Williams, end Muhammad Wilkerson, and nose tackle Damon Harrison on the field together.

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Full release from prosecuting attorney on Richardson

Sheldon Richardson has stepped in it again.

Below is a press release from the office of St. Charles County, Mo. prosecuting attorney Tim Lohmar (key parts are highlighted in red):

Local NFL Player Charged with Resisting Arrest 

St. Charles County, Missouri-The Office of Prosecuting Attorney Tim Lohmar announces that Sheldon A. Richardson, 24, of O’Fallon has been charged with Resisting Arrest, along with numerous traffic violations, following an incident that occurred on July 14, 2015. 

According to a police incident report, officers of the O’Fallon Police Department observed two vehicles traveling at exceedingly high rates of speed on westbound I-64 in St. Charles County, engaged in what appeared to be a road race. 

As officers attempted to engage the vehicles in a routine traffic stop, the driver of a 2014 Bentley Silver Spur increased its speed to avoid apprehension by the officers, exited the interstate and sped through a traffic light, and turned off all of its vehicle lights. 

Officers clocked the suspect vehicle traveling at a rate of speed as high as 143 MPH. The driver then turned into a driveway of home in a nearby neighborhood, and officers were able to observe the brake lights and pulled in behind the vehicle. 

Officers later determined the identity of the driver as Sheldon A. Richardson. Richardson complied with officers’ demand to exit the vehicle; summonses were issued, and Richardson was released without further incident. 

Two other adult males and one minor child were passengers in the vehicle driven by Richardson. The passengers were not charged.  

Resisting Arrest is a class A misdemeanor, and is punishable upon conviction by up to 1 year in jail, and / or a fine of up to $1,000.00. Richardson is presumed innocent until he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Richardson has been ordered to appear in St. Charles County Circuit Court on 10/27/2015 for arraignment.

[http://www.sccmo.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=269]

UPDATE: The probable cause statement can be found here, at NJ.com, with more details.

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Richardson: Wilkerson will be at minicamp Tuesday

Let the game of telephone begin.

Former All-Pro defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson was up in the air last week about his attendance in the New York Jets second minicamp session, which starts Tuesday. Apparently he's been a bit more decisive with his teammates.

According to ESPN.com, the 25-year-old told fellow lineman Sheldon Richardson he'll be making an appearance at the team's mandatory offseason workouts.

He's already skipped the team's OTAs, and a no-show at minicamp this week would cost Wilkerson more than $72,000.

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Richardson 'elated' for Pro Bowl, despite the path in

BY EDITOR

Fresh off Rookie of the Year honors in 2013, New York Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson was a Pro Bowl hopeful this season. Richardson didn't make the initial team at the end of 2014, but it turns out he'll be making an appearance after all.

With Gerald McCoy ruled out of the All-Star game, the alternate Richardson is in, as announced Tuesday.

"I want to say thanks to my defensive line, my defense, and most definitely my linebackers because they make me right. And thank you, Rex [Ryan]," Richardson told NewYorkJets.com. "There's a lot of freedom in his defense for guys at my position to make plays, and I appreciate that for not putting shackles on me."

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Timeout-gate: Mornhinweg takes back the blame

BY NICK ST. DENIS

New York Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson tried to take the blame for causing a timeout that negated a big game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Jets' 31-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers Sunday.

Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, however, took it back away Monday, as he should have.

"Look, Sheldon needs to take no accountability for that," Mornhinweg said, via NewYorkJets.com. "He was only trying to help. It's just that simple. I want to make sure everything that goes on offensively is my responsibility, and so I have to do a better job with the communication."

Richardson edges Alonso for Defensive ROY

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Six of one and half dozen of the other.

The NFL's annual Rookie of the Year honor, as voted by the Associated Press, came down to an AFC East showdown between New York Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson and Buffalo Bills linebacker Kiko Alonso.

It could've went either way. And the winner fully recognized that.

Bills' Alonso ROTY finalist; Jets' Richardson snubbed

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Two divisional rookies had a serious shot at Rookie of the Year honors as the regular season concluded last weekend. Following the announcement of the finalists, that number was cut in half.

Buffalo's second-round pick and starting middle linebacker Kiko Alonso made the league's final cut toward top honors Friday, according to the team's website, the only defensive player in the league to do so.

Alonso will be joined by wide receivers Keenan Allen and Corarrelle Patterson and running backs Giovani Bernard and Eddie Lacy at the announcement ceremony Feb. 1 in New York City, where the winner will be determined based on fan votes through the nfl.com.

Richardson says 'future is bright' for Jets rookies

BY NICK ST. DENIS

For better or worse, the New York Jets' rookies were going to get experience in 2013.

Second-rounder Geno Smith was thrust into the starting quarterback job thanks to Mark Sanchez's preseason injury, and first-rounder Dee Milliner inherited the No. 2 cornerback gig by default with Antonio Cromartie assuming No. 1 duties after Darrelle Revis' departure.

Meanwhile, third-rounder Brian Winters took over the starting left guard gig early in the season, and first-rounder Sheldon Richardson was immediately a regular cog in the middle of an elite defense front.

No stopping Sheldon Richardson on offense, either

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Sheldon Richardson wouldn't be denied... twice.

The New York Jets' 291-pound defensive tackle added another gem to his Defensive Rookie of the Year campaign, rushing for a touchdown in Gang Green's 30-20 loss to the Carolina Panthers Sunday.

Richardson has been a part of New York's goal line offense in the past, serving as a blocker at the fullback position. This time, however, others were blocking for him.

For Bills tackle Glenn, no news is good news

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Plenty has been said about the left side of the Bills' offensive line this season. Left tackle Cordy Glenn's name, however, hasn't been part of that conversation — for good reason.

The 24-year-old put together a respectable rookie season last year, starting 13 games while allowing six sacks and nine QB hurries. His efforts earned him the full-time role this year, where he's been a positive on Buffalo's blind side.

As far as coach Doug Marrone is concerned, no news is good news for Glenn.

Garrard initially thought Richardson was a vet

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Sometimes it takes a veteran to know a veteran. Sometimes, it doesn't.

New York Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson has burst on the scene in 2013 as a midseason candidate for Rookie of the Year, immediately injecting himself into a prominent role on arguably the best defensive line in the NFL.

At least one new veteran Jet was a bit fooled by Richardson's appearance and presence early in spring activities.

AFC East duo tops Kiper's rookie rankings

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Geno Smith and E.J. Manuel may have headlined the draft for the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills, but it's a couple defensive selections who are earning most of the praise through nine weeks.

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper put out his picks of the top 30 rookies up to this point in the season, and a pair of divisional playmakers topped the list.

Buffalo linebacker Kiko Alonso took home top honors, while New York defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson wasn't far behind.

Richardson: 'It's hard blocking us for 4 quarters'

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The New York Jets' defensive front has been the undisputed strength of the team this year. And despite flashes from other places on both sides of the ball, that continued to ring true Sunday.

Gang Green got four sacks on quarterback Tom Brady from four different players -- Muhammad Wilkerson, Calvin Pace, Quinton Coples and Damon Harrison -- in their 30-27 overtime victory over the New England Patriots.

"It's hard to block us for four quarters," Jets rookie defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson said after the game, via ESPN New York.

Richardson tells Manuel Jets 'are after him'

BY NICK ST. DENIS

New York Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson sent fellow rookie Buffalo Bills quarterback E.J. Manuel a Facebook message earlier this week.

“I told him we’re after him,” Richardson told the Star-Ledger Monday. “. . . I told him, ‘Hey, make sure you’re in your playbook, man.’”

The pair of first-year, first-rounders met at the draft and were selected just three picks apart. If Richardson has it his way, the duo will meet again -- in Buffalo's offensive backfield.

Jets sign first-rounder Sheldon Richardson

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Exactly one week ago, the New York Jets had yet to make any of their top three draft picks official.

As of Wednesday night, a majority of the problem had been taken care of.

According to Manish Mehta of the NY Daily News, the Jets signed defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (No. 13 overall), leaving cornerback Dee Milliner (No. 9) as the only Jets rookie without a contract. New York inked second-round quarterback Geno Smith at the end of last week.

'Offset language' slowing Jets' rookie signings

BY NICK ST. DENIS

With the New York Jets' rookies slated to report to training camp Monday, Gang Green's top three 2013 draft picks -- cornerback Dee Milliner, defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson and quarterback Geno Smith -- remain without contracts.

Milliner (No. 9 overall) is one of seven top-10 picks yet to be signed, and Richardson was drafted at No. 13 overall, so their lack of contracts at this point aren't necessarily shocking. However, Smith is one of just three second-rounders without a deal.

In total, 28 NFL rookies are without contracts as of Thursday.

Where will Richardson be used? 'Everywhere'

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Rookie Sheldon Richardson is readying himself for Rex Ryan's defensive line. That mean's he's preparing to post up anywhere, and...

“Everywhere,” Richardson told NewYorkJets.com's Eric Allen of his work in OTAs. “A little end, a little three tech(nique), a little nose, shade, all that… The only thing I haven’t done yet is play rush, so I pretty much have my hand in the dirt.”

Richardson was the third defensive lineman drafted by the Jets in the first round in as many years. He'll join Muhammad Wilkerson (2011) and Quinton Coples (2012) in a young and hungry group that will be moved around and interchanged depending on the situation.